Stay safe on the water this Fourth of July

by Millie Diaz

Staff Writer

 

For some people, July 4 means getting out in the water with the boat and sharing Independence Day with friends and family. Using a personal flotation device is a must when out in a boat in the water, anyone under thirteen years of age must wear a life jacket by state law while boating, except when in an enclosed cabin or below deck. According to safeboatingcampaign.com, approximately 88 percent of boaters who have drowned did so because they weren’t wearing a PFD, which means 400 died unexpectedly because they were uninformed or weren’t in the habit of taking a safety precaution. The majority of people who drown in boating accidents know how to swim, but have become incapacitated in the water for one reason or another. Some are weighed down by clothing, others develop hypothermia, and other still are injured or unconscious. The main idea to understand is an accident usually happens without warning.

Sometimes life jackets aren’t worn because the weather is too hot, or they are uncomfortable, and some women and men might admit to not wearing a life jacket simply because it interferes with their tan. New designs have appeared on the market for automatic and manual inflatable PFDs that are low profile and lightweight, others still are designed as inflatable belt-packs as well. Plenty of types for anyone to find the right one.

A few things to remember about PFDs: if it bunches around the face, it’s too big, if the device doesn’t keep the body afloat, it’s too small, and don’t keep the PFD hanging out in the sun when it’s not in use, the ultra-radiation from the sun will harm the synthetic matherials used to keep the body afloat.

A checklist on discoverboating.com regarding what you must have and what the boat needs is given. Extra PFDs, extra fuel, distress signals, sound-producing devices, flashlights, tools, fire extinguishers, batteries of all sizes, maps and charts are good to have on hand for whatever situation arises. Know the weather ahead of time, and make sure the boat’s lights, ventilation, anchor and dock lines are strong and working properly. Check the bilges to see if their dry and if the pumps are running excessively.

Making sure these things are in order ahead of time will allow for a more relaxing environment when taking the boat out in the water for the holiday, and because fireworks always reflect beautifully in the water. The website boatingsidekicks.com is designed for kids to learn boating and PFD safety through games and interactive menus, making the experience educational and fun while getting the whole family involved. Take care of the people you’re with, and they’ll take care of you.